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For the third consecutive season, and first under Fran Brown, Syracuse is bowl-eligible. Despite trailing by 18 points against Virginia Tech, the Orange mounted their largest comeback since 2012, capping off a thrilling game in overtime with a 38-31 win.

LeQuint Allen Jr. led the way with three touchdowns while wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons sparked the comeback with two key scores. SU’s sixth win of the season was its first home game in 35 days and acted as a bounce back from its 28-point loss to then-No. 19 Pitt the week prior.

With just four games to play in 2024 for Syracuse, it now hits the road for its final road trip of the season. SU faces Boston College in a battle of first-year head coaches for each program with Brown and Bill O’Brien. The Eagles enter off a bye week and haven’t won since Sept. 28.

Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse (6-2, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) will fare against Boston College (4-4, 1-3 ACC) on Saturday:

Aiden Stepansky (5-3)
Fly Like an Eagle
Syracuse 30, Boston College 24

After eight weeks, I’m finally alone at the mountaintop. I won’t boast too much as part of the reason I chose Syracuse to take down Virginia Tech was to differ from my fellow scribes. But, a win’s a win, both for me and for Syracuse. And I see Syracuse pushing its momentum into a win against BC.

The Eagles have lost three straight and their offense is averaging the fourth least points per game in the conference. Both of these marks are very favorable toward Syracuse. Allen Jr.’s second-half usage against Virginia Tech created a balanced offense that produced 35 points across the final 20 minutes and change.

I expect Jeff Nixon to continue this strategy against BC. Kyle McCord should also have added time to operate, as SU’s last two opponents rank in the top five in the ACC in sacks while BC has the fourth least.

Defensively, the Orange are again facing a run-heavy offense. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos is 14th amongst ACC quarterbacks in passing, and if Syracuse can keep him within the pocket, it closes down much of BC’s attack.

I see this game going somewhat similar to the win over NC State. SU will be in control for most of the contest but allow the Eagles to stick around just enough to make the fourth quarter interesting. Though, Syracuse’s offense will punch it in just enough to fly like an eagle out of Chestnut Hill with a victory.

Cooper Andrews (4-4)
Out of deep left field
Syracuse 33, Boston College 23

Castellanos isn’t facing a Carlos Del Rio-Wilson-led Syracuse team this time around. He didn’t have to do much against the Orange on Nov. 3 of last year. Del Rio-Wilson’s abysmal performance — 37 passing yards, four interceptions — meant Castellanos could ride the coattails of his defense in a 17-10 win.

Against a much-more formidable SU roster led by McCord and a red-hot Allen Jr., Castellanos has a tall task ahead of him to match the Orange’s explosive offense. But, Aiden is right. BC has been atrocious for a month. And that won’t change this week.

The Eagles’ last victory in Power-Four competition was a home win on Sept. 21 over Michigan State. In fact, Boston College has no impressive wins. It was crowned early for beating then-No. 10 Florida State, which has come to be one of the ACC’s worst teams, yet has done nothing notable since.

Syracuse will expose BC for what it really is: a team with an inaccurate quarterback, flawed defense and minute number of quality playmakers. The Eagles have allowed an average of 36.5 points over their last two games, while Castellanos completed just 56% of his passes in that stretch. He doesn’t have a true, dominant No. 1 wide receiver, and I envision the Orange stalling his top-option, Lewis Bond. SU will exert enough firepower and force a few turnovers to secure a 10-point win.

Justin Girshon (3-5)
Bump in the road
Syracuse 24, Boston College 27

I can’t figure out this Syracuse team. Sometimes, I think it can step on the field any given Saturday and go toe-to-toe with any offense in the country. Other times, I’m appalled at what I’m watching. Defensively, the Orange have a collection of stars, but it’s not a unit I have complete confidence in — mostly because of poor tackling.

Saturday is a classic example of a let-down spot for SU. Playing at home, Boston College is coming off three straight losses. Meanwhile, the Orange are riding the highs of what could be a season-altering overtime triumph over Virginia Tech.

If the Eagles’ ground-dominant attack can control the pace of play and lean on Castellanos and their running back trio of Treshaun Ward, Kye Robichaux and Turbo Richard, I see them wearing through SU’s defense and pulling out a close contest. Additionally, I trust O’Brien and his staff more than Brown’s to pull out a narrow victory.

Picking a loss here isn’t me saying Syracuse is a bad program. Ultimately, I think SU is an 8-4 caliber team and worthy of playing in a bowl game better than the Pinstripe Bowl or Boca Raton Bowl. However, conference games are tricky, especially on the road at this stage of the season. And with an unproven coaching staff, I’m not convinced the Orange will pull out their second road conference win of the season.

Published on November 6, 2024 at 11:35 pm